Asian countries are embracing artificial intelligence for its disruptive capacity, with China taking the lead. But in a diverse region where internet access is relatively curtailed, progress still has some way to go, writes Lawrence Yeo.

Under pressure at home from an aggressively expanding Amazon, Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten is looking to increase its visibility in a global push that has resulted in its sponsoring the shirts of iconic sports teams Barcelona and Golden State Warriors. Jacopo Dettoni reports.

Looking for a location for its R&D operations, Tokyo-based aluminium casting specialist Sakae Casting found eastern Idaho’s enthusiasm and academic structure – discovered in part due to a sister city relationship – a perfect fit for its first US venture. Courtney Fingar reports.

The Japanese city of Yokohama experienced a population boom after the Second World War that meant it had to take an innovative and collaborative approach to sustainable urban development. It is now exporting this know-how to the rest of Asia, as Jacopo Dettoni reports.

Disaster-hit areas in Japan’s Tohoku region are slowly recovering as basic infrastructure is being restored. The focus is now shifting on a combination of start-ups, tourism and innovative sectors such as robotics to reengineer local economies, as Jacopo Dettoni reports.

Despite his rejection of the North American Free Trade Agreement (which Japan supports), US president Donald Trump has hosted a visit by Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, where the two leaders committed to economic dialogue and stronger military ties. Timothy Conley reports.

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